Meet Kristina Scala | Founder and President – Aspen Academy, Aspen Ventures, Aspen Investment Fund, MODI

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Scala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Community strength and service is a crucial element of the school and community at Aspen Academy. It’s why parents and students who come to us for middle school often say, “I only wish I’d come to Aspen Academy earlier.” It manifests in everyone in our community feeling heard, seen, and cared for. Should a member of our community need something, they could look around and there are numerous other parents, teachers, students, and community members willing to support. It’s the foundation of our Aspen Business Leadership Club, which fosters growth and support for the parent entrepreneurs and executives in our community. Being a member of this community is not just about a single year. Joining Aspen Academy is committing to a journey that culminates in lifelong friendships and support for parents and students alike and it’s part of the experience that has made us among the fastest growing independent schools in the state.

What should our readers know about your business?
As an entrepreneur, identifying solutions to challenges becomes second-nature. In the early 2000s, I was looking for education options for my own young children. In reading about the students who perform best in subjects including math and science, I was mystified that, despite the United States spending 40% more on education than average countries in the world, our students underperform those of other countries. When my own children — and the children of my friends — needed better options for education, I saw the path to creating the best independent school in Denver and equipping high performing students with the skills to be ready for life, not just tests. It turned out that others were experiencing that same problem and trusted us to found Aspen Academy.

One thing that is part of every single person’s life, nearly every day, is money. Yet, money is often a taboo topic that people don’t talk about and it’s rarely taught in schools, beyond the value of coins and dollars. To create one of the best independent elementary and middle school experiences, we committed to including money, finance and entrepreneurship into the essential skills we teach for life to our students. Students receive salaries for jobs, they have expenses and they set budgets. They learn about savings, investments, and they learn to read profit and loss statements.

In general, educators are among the least equipped with financial acumen. In 2011, a research report showed that fewer than 12% of K-12 educators had taken a workshop on teaching personal finance. Teachers surveyed noted that financial education should be a part of curricula for K-12 students, however they aren’t equipped with the training to teach students financial literacy. So we built a program where we teach financial and entrepreneurship concepts to 4-14 year olds, which starts with having informed teachers who understand financial literacy. Imagine a world where all teachers were equipped with the knowledge and skills to not only maintain their own financial fitness, but to also teach students to maintain their financial wellness, too?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Downtown Littleton is a lovely place. There are great restaurants and shops to enjoy — and a fun atmosphere especially for the holidays. Five Wellbeing Studio and Spa is a must-stop for restoring and rejuvenation.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a number of mentors who’ve inspired me and given my wisdom throughout my career — inside my industry and outside. Numerous friends come to mind from Entrepreneur Organization (EO). George Sparks of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was provided great wisdom and reassurance. There are so many people I consider to be close and trusted advisors.

Website: https://www.aspenacademy.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspen_academy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinascala/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aspen_Academy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspenAcademy

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aspen-academy-greenwood-village

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspenacademy7053

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen_academy_colorado1

Image Credits
Images provided by Aspen Academy and Denver Headshot Company.